Four Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) have signed a multi-year deal with healthcare provider, Anthem, attempting to promote social initiatives within each teams’ local community in an effort to combat racial and health inequalities.

The New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, and Indiana Fever have all agreed to host a community event in the city of the home team when any of these sides face-off during the season.

As part of the agreement, each local Anthem affiliate has made investments in the WNBA team in its location, as all team’s social justice initiative will differentiate slightly.

President and CEO of Anthem, Gail Boudreaux said improving the education and well-being standards will go far in addressing many core issues.

“As part of Anthem’s commitment to being both a national and local leader, we are working in solidarity with our communities to challenge the status quo and address the factors driving disparities and inequities in our healthcare system and in society as a whole,” Boudreaux said.

Strategies across the cities’ of teams will include providing health education to children and their families, addressing food insecurity, mental health, health disparities, whilst in Indiana, there will be an “Anthem Assists” award, honouring locals committed to social justice.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the WNBA has seen a rise in key areas in the league, including a 15% increase in fan viewership compared to the year prior, with game three of the playoffs seeing a 34% jump year-on-year (YoY).

This announcement can be seen as an expansion to the “social justice council” announced by the WNBA in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

This news comes following a season covered in topical issues regarding racism and social inequities across the globe, but particularly in the United States.